Western Ski Resorts Improve Environmental Marks

Ski Area Environmental Scorecard

By Matthew Frank, 11-24-08

Report cards are out, and Western ski resorts’ environmental grades are up.

The Ski Area Citizens’ Coalition annual Ski Area Environmental Scorecard shows that energy retrofits, more efficient snowmaking equipment, increased use of biodiesel and tapping renewable energy resources have contributed to improved environmental marks for ski resorts across the West.

“Faced with increased environmental concern from the skiing public and skyrocketing energy prices, ski areas have accelerated their efforts to become more energy efficient,” said Hunter Sykes, Research Director of the Ski Area Citizens’ Coalition. “It’s encouraging to see improved scores and actual conservation for the environment.”

The Scorecard includes a record number of “A” grades this year with 18 resorts scoring top marks compared to 12 last year. Increased efforts to reduce energy consumption, install green energy technologies and reduce greenhouse gases were in large part responsible for many of the improved scores.

Still, better energy policy can‟t make up for poor land use.

Though the steps taken by the ski industry on energy are encouraging, expansions and real estate development continue to be major threats to mountain environments. Of the 83 resorts analyzed, 24 had scores that stayed the same or declined. Of these, 15 are planning or have recently undertaken sizable terrain expansions or real estate development into sensitive areas.

Top Ten:

1. (A) Aspen Mountain Ski Resort - Colorado | 85.7%
2. (A) Buttermilk Mountain Ski Resort - Colorado | 85.2%
3. (A) Sundance Resort - Utah | 82.2%
4. (A) Park City Mountain Resort - Utah | 79.1%
5. (A) Squaw Valley USA - California | 78.3%
6. (A) Alpine Meadows Ski Area - California | 77.4%
7. (A) Aspen Highlands Ski Resort - Colorado | 76.7%
8. (A) Bogus Basin Mountain Resort - Idaho | 74.8%
9. (A) Mount Bachelor Ski Area - Oregon | 74.8%
10. (A) Telluride Ski Resort - Colorado | 74.3%

Worst Ten:

1. (F) Copper Mountain Ski Resort - Colorado | 31.9%
2. (F) Sun Valley Resort - Idaho | 34.3%
3. (F) Tamarack Resort - Idaho | 35.6%
4. (F) Breckenridge Ski Resort - Colorado |36.1%
5. (F) Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park - Washington | 37.4%
6. (F) Arizona Snowbowl - Arizona | 38.6%
7. (F) 49 Degrees North Resort - Washington | 39.9%
8. (D) White Pass Ski Area - Washington | 41.3%
9. (D) Brundage Mountain Resort - Idaho | 41.8%
10. (D) Crystal Mountain Ski Area - Washington | 45.6%

Click here to visit the Ski Area Citizens’ Coalition’s webpage and to see how your favorite mountain resort compares.

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By Matthew Frank, 11-24-08 | comments (1) | email story | print story

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Comments

By Dave Chase, 11-24-08

I guess this is the annual rite of passage where people debate the merits of the scoring system. Call me a homer but having been to most of the resorts on the top of the list and Sun Valley (where I now live), I can't be help but be struck by the oddity of the scoring system. If one develops the hell out of an area and then suddenly has a green epiphany, they can be at the top of the heap. In contrast, Sun Valley is virtually the only resort (at least of the world class ski areas) that has done virtually no development in 30+ years of owning the resort. Last I checked, the greenest form of development is no development. SV has added no new units in 30+ years. How many resort owners can say that?! Certainly I'd like them to do some things that would save them money in the long run in the "green" arena but it seems silly to have the "2nd worst" resort be the one that has probably done less development than any other. It hurts the credibility of the rest of the scoring.

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Ski Area Environmental Scorecard